Dispensing system with material level detector

Abstract

A dispensing system comprises a first electronic sensor and a controller. The first electronic sensor may be configured to detect a first change from a first amount of a fluid product in a dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. The controller may be coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured to receive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative of the first change. The dispensing system reservoir may be disposed in the dispensing system. A method for determining a remaining service interval for a dispensing system reservoir is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dispensing system comprising:
 a fixture for dispensing a fluid product; 
 a dispensing system reservoir in fluid connection with the fixture; 
 a first electronic sensor configured to detect a first change from a first amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir to a second amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir; 
 a controller 
 an actuator coupled to the controller; 
 a pump coupled to the controller and adapted to be operatively coupled to the dispensing system reservoir, the actuator configured so that when engaged by the controller the pump dispenses a dispersion amount of the fluid product from the dispensing system reservoir through the fixture, wherein the first change is attributable to one or more dispersion amounts being dispensed from the dispensing system reservoir, and 
 a refill connection port attached to the fixture, the refill connection port connected to the dispensing system reservoir such that when the refill connection port is connected to a refill container, a fluid flow can pass from the refill container to the dispensing system reservoir. 
 
     
     
       2. The dispensing system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a motor controlled by the actuator and configured to drive the pump to dispense the dispersion amount of the fluid product. 
 
     
     
       3. The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled to the first electronic sensor and configured to receive a first signal from the first electronic sensor indicative of the first change, the dispensing system comprising:
 an indicator coupled to the controller and configured to provide an indication of a real time amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir based upon the first change. 
 
     
     
       4. The dispensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the indicator comprises:
 at least one of an audio indicator or a visual indicator. 
 
     
     
       5. The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first electronic sensor comprises:
 a mechanical flag configured to provide an indication of a real time amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir based upon the first change. 
 
     
     
       6. A dispensing system comprising:
 a fixture for dispensing a fluid product; 
 a nozzle attached to the fixture; 
 a dispensing system reservoir in fluid connection with the nozzle; 
 a weighing system for determining at least one of a weight of the fluid product or a change in the weight of the fluid product; 
 a controller coupled to the weighing system; 
 an indicating system coupled to the controller and configured to provide an indication of a real time amount of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir based upon at least one of the weight of the fluid product or the change in the weight of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir; 
 a first conduit configured to channel the fluid product from the dispensing system reservoir to the nozzle for dispersion of a first dispersion amount of the fluid product through the fixture; 
 a second conduit configured to channel the fluid product from the dispensing system reservoir to the nozzle for dispersion of a second dispersion amount of the fluid product through the fixture; and 
 a manifold operatively connected to the dispensing system reservoir, the first conduit and the second conduit, the manifold comprising:
 a selectively activated valve configured to switch between the first conduit and the second conduit to facilitate dispersion of the first dispersion amount or the second dispersion amount. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The dispensing system of  claim 6 , the weighing system comprising:
 a mounting block configured to suspend the dispensing system reservoir; and 
 a weight differentiating element disposed between the mounting block and a non-moving surface, wherein the mounting block is movable with respect to the non-moving surface. 
 
     
     
       8. The dispensing system of  claim 7 , wherein the non-moving surface is a mounting bracket and the weight differentiating element is a spring configured to support the weight of the dispensing system reservoir when filled with the fluid product. 
     
     
       9. The dispensing system of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the mounting block or the non-moving surface comprises a slide element and at least one of the mounting block or the non-moving surface defines a slot, wherein the slide element is configured to cooperate with the slot to movably connect the mounting block to the non-moving surface. 
     
     
       10. The dispensing system of  claim 7 , wherein the weight differentiating element stores potential energy corresponding to at least one of a volume or a level of the fluid product in the dispensing system reservoir. 
     
     
       11. The dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the indicating system is configured to transmit a digital signal. 
     
     
       12. The dispensing system of  claim 6 , comprising:
 a pump coupled to the manifold, wherein the pump increases a pressure on the fluid product to facilitate dispersion of the first dispersion amount or the second dispersion amount. 
 
     
     
       13. The dispensing system of  claim 6 , comprising:
 a connection fitting connected to the dispensing system reservoir and the manifold, the connection fitting providing a substantially fluid tight seal between the dispensing system reservoir and the manifold through a range of movement of the dispensing system reservoir. 
 
     
     
       14. The dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the refill connection port comprises:
 a quick connect fitting enabling fluid product to flow through the refill connection port in response to a mating connection with the refill container.